An alternative architecture to validate navigation and control strategies for autonomous vehicles

Describes the design and construction of an autonomous vehicle having the important characteristics of versatility, portability and low cost. Additionally, the vehicle's mechanical and electronic features permit rapid prototyping and validation of new control and navigation algorithms. In this context, all information processing is based on a personal computer, using the parallel communication interface to acquire and export real time data. In general, such an interface enables different kinds of actuators and transducers to be managed without additional electronic hardware.